Split valve spring keeper inserter



July 14, 1953 J. VOLD 2,645,005

spur VALVE SPRING KEEPER msm'rsa Filed Oct 11. 1949 IN V EN TOR.

J04); Va/d BY zafmwaam "Mm Jim/V! key: segments, leavingjsaid segmentsin position upon the valve, stem.

A further object of the invention is to pro I drawings, wherein:

' valve stem;

Patented July 14, 1953 SPLIT VALVE SPRING KEEPER IVNSE'RTER .Joim Vold,Wiggins, 0010, r -'Applicatlon October 11, 1949, Serial No. 120,595

7 2-Claims. (01. 29-249) This invention relates to improvements inatuomobile engine repair tools, and more particularly to an implementfor use in inserting valve s'pringkeys of the split type.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved valvespring key- -inserting tool which is simple in design, rugged inconstruction, which'is very easy to manipulate, and

which securely holds and positively controls the placement of thetwo'parts'of the key in' position for insertion, enables the two part' to berotated apart for positioning upon the valve stem, and which isreadilyremoved from themounted locking vide an improved valve key-insertingtool which readily locates the "valve stemwithoutdiSturbing the keysegments, locates the valve key,

grooves on the stem, positions and seats the keys Figure is'anenlarged"cross-sectional view taken on line 5--'5 of Figure 1'.

Referring to the drawings, H designates the main body portion of thetool, said'main' body portion being made of fiat bar stock; The rear endportion of body II is reduced in width and is bentunder to define ahandle loop 12. The

' forward end portion'of body H is bent upwardly in the grooves, and'which'is'jeffective to position and seat the valve keys in thesmallcircular type of grooves as Well as in the larger types of grooves.

A still further object of the invention is'to provide an improved valvespring key inserter which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture,which provides a great saving in time and labor in replacingthe splitconical'keys on the'valve stems of internal combustion engines, whichmay be employed in very restricted locations, which 1 is sturdy inconstruction, which may be employed under unfavorable conditions, andwhich may be employed to mount 'diife'rent kinds, sizes and shapes ofsplit keys on valve stems.

Further objectsand advantages of theflinven tion will become apparentfrom the following description and claim'sQand from'the' accompanyingFigure 1 is a top plan'view of a'valve spring key-inserting toolconstructed with the present invention; Figure 2 is a longitudinal crosssectional view taken through the tool of Figure 1, showing the positionof the tool immediately subsequent to the placement stem; r a

Figure 3 is a fragmentary'plan view similar to Figure 1, showing thepositionofthemovable jaw elements of the tool as said toolfjis being"removed from engagement with thesplitfkeys" subsequent" to the mountingof the keys on the Figure 4 is a perspective view of the retractibleseparator member employed in th e'tool"of Fi "'ure 1; I H

in accordance of the split keys upon a valve at I3 andis again bent at14, to define a for- Q;

wardly-extending body portion l5, which also provides a base formounting additional elements of the mechanism. The main portion of bodyI l is inclined downwardly and rearwardly with respect to forwardportion 15, as shown in Fi ure 2. r

The forwardbody portion 15 is formed with a longitudinal centered notchl6 defining spaced fingers [1,11, the forward 'ends'of the fingers beingsmoothly rounded, as shown at 'l8.' Secured to portion I5 and spacedsymmetrically on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line -of bodyH are the upstanding pins l9, l9. Secured to said portion-areadditional-upstanding pins 20, said pins 20, 20being'also symmetricallyspaced on opposite sides of said centerline and being located rearwardlyof pins l9, l9. Engaged on the pins l9,-l9 are the flat block members2|,

2|, said block members being formed withthe respectiverearwardly-convergent, inclined edge surfaces 22, 22*located rearwardlyadjacent the -end of the notch I6, defining-a ledge Z.

j Located on the longitudinalcenter line of the I main portion of bodyll arethe spaced'upstanding' pins '23 and 24; Desig ated at 25'is aslide member formed with an upstanding rear-lug 26 I and-with anupstanding forward portion 21 carrying a horizontal forwardly-extendingblade 28.

The main body of slide member-25 is slidably positioned on the mainportion of body-1| and is formed with a first longitudinal slot 29slidably receiving the pin 23; The rear portion of 'member 25 is formedwith another'longitudinal'slot 30 slidably receiving pin' 24. Forwardlyadjacent slot 30 the member 25 is formed with a spring housing 3|containing a coil spring" 32 bearing at its rear endon pin-24 andbearing against I 'theend wallof' housing 3| at its forward end,

,thereby biasing slide member 25 forwardly to bring upstanding portion21* in abutment with the upwardly bent'portion I3 of body '11 andbringing the tip of blade 28 across the ledge Z,

whereby it projects over the end of notch l6. A

- cotter pin 33 is provided on pin "24 toretain the slide member 25 inposition'onbody l I; The

blade 28 extends slidably between uprights'Y,

Y, continuing onwardly between the flat block members 2|, 2| andnormally projects across ledge Z and over the end of the notch l6.

Designated at 34, 34 are respective arms formed with longitudinal slots35, 35' slidably and pivotally receiving the pins 28, 20. Secured to therear ends of arms 34, 34 are respective coil springs 35, 35 whose rearends are secured to the rear portion of body II at 36, 36, biasing thearms 34, 34 rearwardly. The arms 34,34 have respective inwardly-curvedforward extensions 31, 31, with inclined inner surfaces W, W,terminating in rearwardly-directed lugs 38, 38. Arms 34, 34 are alsoformed with opposing lugs X, X, shown in Figure 3. The side edgesof'bodyportion l5are formed with upstanding lugs 39, 39 in'whicharesecured the rear ends of forwardly-extending leaf springs 40, 40 bearingonrespective extensions 31, 31 and biasing said extensions inwardly.Secured on the pins l9, l9 and 28, 28 is a top cover plate 4| whichoverlies the springs 40, the arms 34, the blade 28, and theblocks 2|, asshown in Figures 1, 2 and 5.

The rear ends of the arms 34, 34 are formed with respectiveoutwardly-extending'lugs 42, 42. Pivotally connected to each lug is arearwardlyextending link bar 43 formed with a widened rear end portion44. Each end portion 44 has a rear upstanding lug 46. Each end portion44 is also formed with a, longitudinal slot 45 which slidably andpivotally receives the shank of a headed bolt 41 secured to body Thevalve stem is shown at 48 in Figure 2. The valve spring is shown at 49and the spring retainer is shown at 50. The split conical key segmentsare shown at 5|, 5|. In inserting the key segments, the retainer 50 is'first lifted by means of a suitable slotted lifter 52.

To load the tool preparatory for use, arms 34, 34 are pushed forward andextensions 31, 31 are rotated outwardly to positions over fingers |1, |1by pressing members 43 together intermediate pivots 42 and 41. The keysegments are then in the valve stem groove, whereupon retainer 88 maythen be lowered over the key segments 5 I, 5|, thus engaging thesegments and locking them onthe stem. Retainer 58 may contact the tooland push the tool downwardly over the key segments, since the tool haspreviously been freed from the recess in the stem. This completes theinsertion of the key segments. The tool is removed by pressing inwardlyon arms 43, 43, and sincethe segments 5|, 5| are now firmly engaged andlugs 38 and blade 28 cannot engage therebetween, extensions 31, 31 swingoutwardly clear of the valve stem, permitting removal of the tool. Thesame operation may be repeated for the remaining valves.

Fingers |1, |1 function as guides in locating the valve stem and inadvancing the tool upon it. They further function as a base or floor toreceive the key segments in loading the tool. In addition, said fingersrespectively constitute one element of a triple-element abutment andanchorage system for holding each key segment.

The other two elements are provided respectively by the inclinedsurfaces W, W of extensions 31, 31, and by the inclined convergentsurfaces 22, 22 of blocks 2|, 2| in conjunction with lugs 38, 38 andblade 28. A further function of surfaces 22, 22 of block 2 2| is todrive the key segments into seating positions in the valve stem grooveupon withdrawal of blade 28 and lugs 38, 38. Ledge Z functions as asupporting base in controlling the key segments as they are rotated bythe action of extensions 31, 31,and are caused to present their curvedinner contours in favorable positions for locating and entering thevalve stem groove. A further function of ledge Z is to define, withinclined surfaces 22, 22, one of the anchorage elements of theabove-mentioned three-element system.

Spring tension holds the movable parts in their normal closed positions,which also are the positions assumed by the parts in closing the keysegdeposited in upright position, with their large ends down, on thefingers |1, |1,'thus being cradled in the curved portions of extensions31,

31. Spring tension is then allowed to bring arms; 34, 34 back, tosecurely anchor the key segments between inclined surfaces W, W andterminal lugs 38, 38 of extensions 31, 31 on the one side, and betweenthe inclined surfaces 22, 22 of blocks 2|, 2| on the other side. Guidefingers |1, H in addition to ledge Z provide base support for the keysegments at right angles to the aforementioned holding means. Blade 28is permitted to remain in its normal forward position projecting overthe end of notch l6 for the loading operation.

The loaded tool is firmly held by handle loop l2, and the key segmentsare rotated apart by the action of arms 34, 34 through the applicationof pressure applied between thumb and forefinger on arms 43, 43. Thetool is then advanced toward valve stem 48, which is located by fingersl1, l1, With further advancement of the tool, the projecting end ofblade 28 locates the valve stem groove and is pushed back, permittingthe key segments to be closed into the groove. Blade 28 and lugs 38 arethen retracted from between the key segments. This retraction may beeffected by engaging a crooked forefinger behind lugs 46 and engagingthe thumb in front of lug 26 and applying pressure, thus simultaneouslyretracting lugs 38 and blade'28. The symmetrical convergent surfaces 22,22 of blocks 2|; 2| then move the key segments into fully seatedpositions ments into the valve stem groove. The operating linkageprovides for either independent or simultaneous movement of arms 34, 34by pressing arms 43, 43 between thumb and forefinger of the hand holdingthe tool in its grasp.

The key segments themselves serve as parts of the mechanism for theirown insertion by functioning as jaws which open to receive the valvestem and'close upon said stem when the segments are properly located intheir grooves. The segments further function as radius arms defining therotary movement imparted by arms 34, 34. Said key segments also functionas groove finders and as position locators by the presentation of theircurved inner contours as they pivot on their rearward corners in thetool.

The above-mentioned triple-element 'anchorage system permitsdetermination of proper groove positioning of the key segments by meansof the sense of touch, whereby the key segments are not seated untiltheir positioning is correct, thereby insuring'a successful operation.

In the case of very small circular valve stem grooves into which blade28 cannot enter, the key segments function as the groove finders andposition locators.

Retractible separator blade 28 functions as one point in the anchoragesystem of the key segments and also as a point of control in loading thetool. Furthermore, it functions as a pivot on which the key segmentsrotate as jaws in opening for insertion and in closing upon the valvestem. Inaddition, blade 28 also functions as a I ype of grooves.

groove finder in the case of the larger or body A further function ofblade 28 is to provide secure seating of the key segments after they areclosed into the groove, through withdrawal of said blade 28 whichpermits convergent surfaces 22, 22 of blocks 2i, 2! to force the keyshome to a seat in the groove.

The downward and rearward inclination of the main portion of body H withrespect to the forward portion l5 thereof permits clear vision of thevalve stem and the 'key segments at all times during the insertion ofthe segments.

Although a specific embodiment of a valve spring key-inserting tool hasbeen disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood thatvarious modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitationsbe placed upon the invention except as defined by the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A split valve key-inserting tool comprising a flat body member havingan offset flat end, said end being formed with an axially extendingnotch defining a, pair of parallel positioningfingers engageabletransversely on the outer surfaces of a valve stem, a pair of blockmembers mounted in spaced side by side relation on said end at the innerend of the notch and spaced symmetrically from the axis of said notch,said block members having complementary faces forming an obtuse angletherebetween, a blade member slidably disposed on the end between theblock members for axial movement to a forward position overlying saidnotch and between the fingers, an actuating member slidably mounted foraxial movement on the body member and connected to the blade member,spring means operatively connected to the actuating member for urgingsaid blade member to said forward position on the end, a pair ofcomplementary hook members slid ably and pivotally secured to said endsymmetrically around said block members, said hook members being mountedfor individual rectilinear movement on the fingers and outwardcurvilinear movement therefrom, inwardly directed lugs formed on theforward ends of said hook members, spring means carried by the outeredges of the end of the body member and engageable with said hookmembers for urging said lugs together to a position over said notch andsubstantially aligned with the blade, a pair of link bars slidably andpivotally mounted on the body member for axial and curvilinear movementand pivotally connected to the hook member, and

spring means connected between the body memher and each of the hookmembers for urging the lugs inwardly of said notch.

2. A split valve key-inserting tool comprising a fiat body member havingan offset flat end, said end being formed with an axially extendingnotch defining a pair of parallel positioning fingers engageabletransversely on the outer surfaces of a valve stem, apair of blockmembers mounted in spaced side by side relation on said end at the innerend of the notch and spaced symmetrically from the axis of said notch,said block members having their outer adjoining edges disposed at anangle so as to define a notch therebetween, a blade member slidablydisposed on said end between the block members for axial movement to aforward position overlying said notch and between the fingers, anactuating member slidably mounted for axial movement on the body memberand connected to the blade member, spring means operatively connected tothe actuating member for urging said blade member to said forwardposition on the end, apair of complementary hook members slidably andpivotally secured to said first named end symmetrically around saidblock members, said hook members being mounted for individualrectilinear movement on the fingers and outward curvilinear movementtherefrom, inwardly directed lugs formed on the forward ends of saidhook members, cantilever spring means carried by the outer edges of theend of the body member and engageable with said hook members for urgingsaid lugs into abutment one with the other in a position over said notchand substantially aligned with the blade, said forward ends of the hookmembers being cooperatively disposed with respect to the notches on theblocks, a pair of link bars each having one end pivotally and slidablymounted on the body member for axial movement and having the other endthereof pivotally connected to the hook member at the end remote fromsaid lugs, spring means connected between the body member and each ofthe hook members at said remote ends, and means formed on the ends ofsaid link bars, whereby said bars may be urged forwardly to disengagethe lugs, whereupon said hook members may be swung outwardly,

thereby freeing said tool for removal from the valve stem.

JOHN VOLD.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,456,007 Hartson May 22, 1923 1,623,786 Girard Apr. 5, 19271,861,973 Mindermann June 7, 1932 1,951,970 Elliott Mar. 20, 19342,001,707 Clemens May 21, 1935 2,002,016 Kyser May 21, 1935 2,091,500Clark Aug. 31, 1937 2,163,716 Turner June 27, 1939 2,198,966 Herman Apr.30, 1940 2,271,077 Judisch .Jan. 27, 1942 2,334,626 Herman Nov. 16, 19432,517,583 Lunda Aug. 8, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 437,748Great Britain Nov. 5, 1935

